In the rhythm of life, meals have always held a special place. They bring people together, create space for conversation, and remind us of our shared humanity. For True North Church, food has been far more than just sustenance—it has been a catalyst for connection, a bridge to community, and a pathway to faith.
This is the story of how True North Church moved from providing a monthly food distribution as a church to embracing a vibrant Dinner Church model as a faith-centered nonprofit, bringing the hope of the gospel to life one Dinner at a time.
Monthly Food Distribution and Community Dinners
True North Church has always had a heart for the community. For years, the church provided a monthly food distribution for families in need. The event was more than a transactional exchange of groceries; it was an opportunity to meet people where they were, provide practical help, and build relationships.
These monthly food distributions were paired with a preceding Community Dinner hosted by area churches. On distribution days, local congregations took turns preparing and serving meals in the local community building. Volunteers would cook, serve, and, often, sit down to eat with the guests, transforming what could have been a brief handout into a shared experience of hospitality.
For many attendees, the dinner was just as meaningful as the boxes and bags of food they received. It was a time to relax, connect, and feel seen and valued. Over time, familiar faces became friends, and the dinner became a cornerstone of community life.
The Community Dinner wasn’t about sermons or formal church services; it was simply about being the hands and feet of Jesus. Through shared meals, a brief message, and table conversations, people began to experience the love of Christ in practical, tangible ways.
Pivoting During the Pandemic
Then, the world changed.
When the COVID-19 pandemic swept through communities, gatherings like the Community Dinner became impossible. True North Church had to make an immediate pivot to continue serving their neighbors safely. The church shifted from an in-person food distribution following the monthly dinner to a monthly drive-through food distribution.
Volunteers adapted quickly to this new format. Food bags were packed and placed in car trunks with a smile and a word of encouragement. The drive-through approach ensured that families still had access to food while maintaining social distancing guidelines.
Although the drive-through was effective in meeting immediate physical needs, something was missing. The warmth of shared meals, the sound of laughter in the fellowship hall, and the simple joy of sitting across from someone and listening to their story—all of these relational elements were lost in the shift.
True North Church realized that while they were meeting physical needs, they longed to restore the deeper sense of community that had been at the heart of the monthly gatherings.
A Bold Decision to Plant a Dinner Church
As pandemic restrictions eased and nearly two years after its onset, life began to return to normal, and the leadership of True North Church faced a pivotal question: What’s next? The monthly community dinner did not return to the community building. After a trial merger with another church, during which the initial foundation was laid for the Dinner Church, True North Church had a decision to make.
After much prayer and discernment, and drawing on the vision that God gave me as the lead pastor in 2015, the church made a bold decision. We would close our doors as a traditional church and plant a Dinner Church at the local community building. We were no longer True North Church, but Binding Hearts Community Dinners – Minerva. Instead of gathering for worship services once a week, we would host a Community Dinner every week, creating an environment where food, familiarity, and faith would intersect.
Reflecting on our years of service through the food distribution and Community Dinner, we recognized an incredible opportunity to do something new through a well-worn rhythm of life in our community. We didn’t just want to go back to the way things were—we wanted to create a ministry that combined food, fellowship, and faith in a way that reached more people and built deeper connections.
This wasn’t a decision made lightly. It required faith, courage, and a willingness to step into the unknown. But the church was compelled by a vision of ministry that reflected the early church in Acts 2:42-47, where believers gathered regularly to break bread, share life, and worship together. We wanted to be the church, creating a place were everyone was welcome to have a seat at the table.
Dinner Church: A New Kind of Faith Community
Binding Hearts Community Dinners – Minerva isn’t just about food; it’s about fostering authentic community and sharing the gospel in a relational way. Each week, tables are set, meals are prepared, and the doors are opened wide to welcome anyone and everyone.
The evening begins with volunteers serving a freshly prepared meal. As guests arrive, they are greeted warmly and invited to find a seat. There are no barriers here—no pews, no formality, no pretense. Instead, there are tables filled with food, conversation, and the sense that everyone belongs.
After the meal, a short message or testimony is shared, often weaving in the life and teachings of Jesus. It’s not a sermon in the traditional sense; it’s a conversational, accessible way of presenting the gospel. Guests are encouraged to ask questions, share their thoughts, and explore faith at their own pace.
Volunteers sit with guests, not as servers but as equals. Relationships are formed, stories are shared, laughter is heard, tears are shed, and trust is built week by week. For many who attend, Dinner Church is their first encounter with a faith community that feels safe, welcoming, and relevant to their everyday lives.
The Impact of Weekly Community Dinners
Since launching Binding Hearts Community Dinners – Minerva, the impact has been profound. What began as a bold experiment has grown into a thriving faith community where lives are being transformed.
The weekly dinners have created consistency and stability for people who often experience instability in other areas of life. Guests know they can count on a warm meal, a listening ear, and a place to belong. Over time, many have opened their hearts to the message of Jesus, finding hope and healing through the relationships they’ve built around the table.
For volunteers, the Dinner Church has become a deeply rewarding way to live out their faith. They’ve discovered that ministry doesn’t have to happen behind a pulpit or in a classroom—it can happen over a meal, in the simple act of serving others. Serving on the team is also a powerful discipleship tool, with many from the community now serving at the weekly dinner.
Dinner Church has also broken-down barriers that sometimes exist in traditional church settings. People from all walks of life gather together, united not by social status or religious background but by a shared need for community. It’s a beautiful picture of the kingdom of God, where everyone has a seat at the table.
Lessons Learned Along the Way
True North Church’s journey from monthly food distributions to Dinner Church offers valuable insights for other churches and ministries:
1. Start with Relationship: The monthly food distributions and Community Dinners were never just about meeting physical needs—they were about building relationships. Ministry flows naturally when people feel seen, heard, and loved.
2. Be Willing to Pivot: The pandemic forced True North Church to adapt quickly. By embracing change, they discovered new opportunities to serve their community.
3. Find a Familiar Rhythm: Both people and the communities they inhabit have rhythmic habits – places they go, events they attend, errands run on certain days. Discover the familiar rhythms of life and incorporate those rhythms in your Dinner Church planning.
4. Embrace Bold Vision: Closing a traditional church to plant Dinner Church was a leap of faith, but it opened the door to a fresh, impactful way of doing ministry.
5. Trust the Power of the Table: Jesus often ministered to people around meals, and the table remains a powerful place for connection and transformation today.
6. Focus on the Long Game: Building community takes time. The Dinner Church’s success didn’t happen overnight—it was the result of years of faithful service and investment in relationships.
Conclusion
Food has always been a universal language, a way to bridge divides and create connections. At Binding Hearts Community Dinners – Minerva, the simple act of sharing a meal has become a powerful expression of God’s love.
Through our journey from monthly food distributions to weekly Community Dinners at Dinner Church, Binding Hearts has rediscovered the beauty of breaking bread together. They’ve learned that faith is often nurtured not in sermons or programs but in the warmth of familiar faces, the sound of shared laughter, and the taste of a meal prepared with love.
As they continue to serve their neighbors, Binding Hearts stands as a testament to the truth that food and familiarity can indeed lead to a vibrant faith community. Around our tables, people are finding hope, healing, and the unmistakable presence of Christ. And in that sacred space, lives are being changed—one dinner at a time.
